Once a devoted practitioner of Satanism and the occult, Riaan Swiegelaar says he experienced a dramatic transformation after claiming to have seen Jesus during a ritual.

According to CBN, Swiegelaar’s spiritual shift began with a simple act of compassion and culminated in a profound experience that he says altered the course of his life.

In 2022, Swiegelaar, who had long been involved in the occult as a professional, first gained public attention when his conversion story spread widely online. Known for performing various spiritual rituals, he held a significant position within a Satanic group where he actively participated in occult ceremonies.

Everything began to shift following a public radio appearance where Swiegelaar discussed his spiritual convictions. Afterward, a Christian woman who had heard the broadcast approached him and hugged him. The gesture, though simple, deeply moved him and left him thinking about the love she expressed.

Several days later, Swiegelaar was selected by his peers to perform a Satanic ritual aimed at finding out whether the Antichrist had come into the world. He explained that his background in occultism made him the logical choice for the responsibility.

Claim of Unexplained Light During Ritual

During the setup of this ritual, while lighting the second candle, he recalled an unusual event. According to Swiegelaar, the room suddenly became illuminated, not from the candlelight, but as if a bright spotlight had been turned on inside.

Initially confused, he thought someone might be playing a trick on him or secretly observing him. But as he turned, he said he came face-to-face with a figure he later identified as Jesus Christ.

Swiegelaar admitted that at first, he didn’t recognize the figure. He asked directly who the person was and was told the name “Jesus.” Skeptical of the response, he dismissed it, citing his disbelief in Jesus entirely at the time.

Recognition Through a Feeling of Love

He explained that in occult practice, demons typically appear in distinct and recognizable ways to practitioners. What he saw that night did not match anything from his experience, which caused him to reconsider the situation.

Wanting clarity, Swiegelaar demanded evidence from the figure. He described the next moment as being filled with what he felt was pure and overwhelming love. That sensation reminded him of his earlier encounter with the Christian woman, leading him to associate both experiences with the presence of Christ.

The intensity of the event was such that he couldn’t remain standing. He collapsed to the floor, struck by what he described as silence and love enveloping the room. It was in that stillness, he later reflected, that he recognized a void within himself he now believes only Christ could fill.

Long Process of Spiritual Recovery

Swiegelaar reported that his conversion did not happen overnight. Because of his deep roots in Satanic rituals and occultism, he underwent a 10-month spiritual recovery, which he referred to as a deliverance process.

That effort included nine dedicated sessions aimed at separating him from the spiritual influences and practices he had once embraced. Over time, he described feeling lighter and eventually free from the burdens he had carried.

Now, with his past behind him, Swiegelaar works to guide others who are seeking similar change. He shares his story publicly in hopes of helping people discover what he now sees as freedom through faith in Christianity.

Testimony Garners Public Attention

His story continues to resonate with a wide audience, largely because of its unusual turn—from a life immersed in darkness to one he now describes as filled with light. The account of how one gesture of compassion sparked a sequence of transformative events has led many to take interest in his journey.

By telling his story, Swiegelaar aims to offer hope to those who feel spiritually lost or trapped in destructive belief systems. He says his decision to speak openly is rooted in a sense of responsibility to help others find what he believes is the truth and healing.

Though the account has drawn a mix of reactions, those who’ve heard it are often struck by how a brief moment—a hug, a light, a flood of emotion—could unravel a worldview years in the making. For Swiegelaar, it's the beginning of a new life driven by what he calls a divine presence.